Storehouse for grain or the like.



.PATENTED MAR. 21, 19.05.

R. G. ROACH. STOR-BHOUSE FOR GRAIN OR THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 3 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I: H /NVENTOR toberl/Cliiaacw WITNESSES 5 A TTOHNE Yb.

PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

0.30M STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN OR THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 8, 1903.

s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0.'78-5,521. PATBNTED' MAR. 21, 1905.

R. 0. ROAGH. I

STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN 0R THE'LIKE, v

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 8', 190a.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET a.

' 1 //v VENTOR ber 'A TTOHNE YS.

NITED STATES Patented March 21, 1905.

PATENT ()FFICE.

STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,521, dated March21, 1905. Application filed May a, 1903. Serial No. 156,173.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT CORNELIUS RoAoH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Hutchinson, in the county of Reno and State ofKansas, have invented a new and Improved Storehouse for Grain or theLike, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to storehouses or repositories for grain andother cereals; and it consists, substantially, in the improvementshereinafter particularly described and then claimed.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a storehouse orrepository for grain and the like which may be constructed of lightmaterial and which also is both simple and economical in its generalembodiment, besides being strong and capable of long and continuedservice.

A further object is to provide a structure of this kind which ispractically fireproof, and which also is of greatly-increased capacityfor a given area of ground-surface covered thereby.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure of thecharacter referred to which is thoroughly proof against the entrance ofdamp or moisture to the interior thereof and one also which is readilyaccessible either to repair any part thereof or to inspect the structureitself or the material or substances stored therein.

' A further object is to provide a structure or repository in whichgrain or like material may be stored or kept in a state of preservationfor an indefinite length of time and one also which may be rapidlyfilled or emptied, according as maybe required; and the invention alsohas for its object to provide simplified and effective means wherebygrain and the like may be elevated above and deposited within thestructure or repository and to provide means whereby the delivery ofgrain from the storehouse may be readily effected in any desiredquantity, either for shipment or transfer thereof or for other purposes.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantiallysuch as are illusltrated in the accompanying drawings, in which 4 Figure1 is a general side elevation of a grain storehouse or repositoryconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal sectional elevation of Fig. 1, showing more clearly thefeatures of construction, organization, and operation of the difl'erentelements or parts contributing to my improvements. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal sectional plan view of the bin structure taken about on theline at m of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view taken about on the line yy, also of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged part-sectional view in detailto more clearly indicate the construction and organization of theconnections and fastenings between certain parts of my improvedstructure. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail view of certainfastenings or connections employed between other parts of the structure.Fig. 7 is a detail view of certain parts, and Fig. 8 is an enlargedsectional detail view showing the lining for the shell of the housing orrepository.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated thatagrain or other storage plant constructed and operated in accordancewith my invention comprises in a general way, preferably, an ofiice orbuilding for occupancy by the attendants or operators in charge of theplant and beneath which is constructed a suitable engine-room which maybe above or beneath the ground-level, as may be desired. Under anarchway on one side of the said office or building is a suitabledriveway or platform beneath which is located a pit into which the grainor other material to be stored may be dumped, said pit leading to andcommunicating with a suitable place where means are employed forelevating the material to suitable devices or mechanism by which 'thesame is delivered or emptied into the storehouse at the top of thelatter. T he storehouse may be of any desired height and transversedimensions, and the same may also consist of a single continuous binthroughout or of a plurality of bins radially disposed about a centralupright structure, and the said storehouse is also otherwise speciallyconstructed, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The foundationof the storehouse is also of special construction, and I employ suitabledelivery mechanism for transferring the grain or other material from thestorehouse to a car or other receiver therefor. The shell or casing ofthe storehouse is firmly braced and strengthened interiorly byspecially-constructed devices and contrivances therefor, and all jointsbetween the different parts of both the inner and outer structures areboth water and damp proof, the material of the said structures, as wellas all auxiliaries thereto, being also thoroughly fireproof, all as willbe understood from the description about to follow.

The central upright structure referred to is in communication at itslower end with suitable means whereby any quantity or quantities ofgrain or other material may be transferred from any one or more of thebins of the storehouse to be elevated to the top of the latter, whencesuch material may be deposited into the upper end of said centralstructure, thence being caused to pass to the delivery mechanism, aswill appear. I construct the central upright structure at intervals ofits height with valves or other means, whereby the grain or othermaterial in the bins may be inspected at any point of depth of the bins,and also by which removal or discharge of any desired quantity of grainor other material may be effected at such points, as may be required atany time.

At the upper end of the storehouse or repository I employ a hopper intowhich the grain or other material is received from the elevating devicestherefor from the dumpingpit below, and said hopper is provided withsuitable means by which the grain thus received therein may bedistributed to the different bins.

Other features of my improvement will be referred to hereinafter, and itmay be added that while I have herein represented a certain preferredembodiment of devices or elements employed 1 am not limited to theprecise details thereof in practice, since immaterial changes thereinmay be resorted to coming within the scope of my invention.

Reference being had to the several parts by the designating charactersmarked thereon, 1 represents what may be termed the ordinaryground-level surrounding my improved storehouse plant, upon which areerected the stone or brick walls 2 2 of an ordinary basement or room 3,in which is located a suitable engine or motive-power apparatus 4:,which will be hereinafter referred to. The upper part 5 of said basementor room 3 may be of cement or any suitable fire and damp proof material,and the same constitutes the bottom or floor of an oflice or building 6,which may be occupied by one or more attendants or operators of theplant, the said office or buildsteel or other fireproof material andhaving a lining of asbestos or other non-conducting material, ifdesired. Connecting the said oflice or building 6 at one side thereof,and preferably, also, built of the same or analogous material, is anarch or covering 7 for a driveway having a platform 8 about on a levelwith the floor of the oflice, said platform and arch being supported inany suitable manner. Both the entrance to and exit from the drivewaybeneath the arch may be closed by suitable hinged or other doors 9, ofmetal or other suitable material, and in the platform of said drivewayare provided suitable ordinary dumping-rails 1O 10 for a cart or othervehicle, (not shown,) said rails, as well as the adjacent sides of theplatform itself, being constructed, preferably, of angle-iron or steel,as shown. Beneath the platform of the driveway I construct a pit 10,into which the grain or other material to be stored may be dumped, thefloor 11 of said pit being preferably of cement and inclined outwardlyand downwardly from the adjacent side wall of the engine-room 3, withthe lower edge 12 thereof resting upon the upper edge of a brick orstone wall 13, constituting part of the general foundation of thestructure, as will be fully-understood from the description which is tofollow. In order that the grain or other material 14 dumped onto saidfloor may not become contaminated or otherwise injured from clampness ormoisture, the said floor 11 is preferably faced or lined on the undersurface thereof with felt, tar-paper, or other suitable material 14,and, if desired, the surrounding walls of the said pit 10 may be facedor cov; ered with the same or analogous material for a similar purpose.The inner wall 15 of the pit terminates at the lower part thereof alittle short of the full depth of the pit at that side, thus forming anoutlet or opening 16, through which the grain may pass by gravity into ahopper 17, located in the boot 18 of a vertical housing or inclosure 19for any suitable form of elevator devices or mechanism, consisting,preferably, in the present instance, of an endless band or belt 20,provided at intervals thereof with buckets 21, in which quantities ofthe grain or other material may be received, as will be apparent. Thesaid endless band or belt 20 passes around pulleys 22 and 23, located atthe bottom and top, respectively, of the housing or inclosure 19, theshaft 2a of the latter pulley having thereon a sprocket or other gearwheel 25, which may be driven from any suitable source for the purposeof operating said elevator devices 01' mechanism-as, for instance, bymeans of a sprocket-chain 25", operated from a similar sprocket-wheel a,carried at one end of a shaft 6, which is driven by a sprocketconnection 0 ing being preferably constructed of pressed 1 pulley 23 isa hopper 26, into which the grain as indicated at 35. surface, and alsopreferably around the sidesis emptied from the buckets, and leading fromthe hopper is a chute or conduit 27, which will be referred to later on.

The outlet or opening 16 is controlled by means of a suitable sidablegate or valve 28, having a handle 29, by which the same may be operatedfrom the platform of the driveway, said valve working in a suitableguide 30 therefor formed between the adjacent sides of the wall 15 and asupplementary wall 31. (See Fig. 2.)

The base of the general foundation 32 of my improved plant is laid asuitable depth beneath the ordinary ground level or surface, and suchfoundation consists of common or cut stone or other suitable material,which is preferably built up around a concrete or cement filling 33 to aheight somewhat above said ground level or surface, as indicated at 34,for instance, this elevated or raised part 34 of the said foundationbeing preferably of approximately circular-formation in plan view andhaving the upper surface thereof recessed or inclined downwardly andinwardly all around, Upon this upper inclined of the said part'34 of thefoundation, 1 preferably apply a layer or layers of tar-paper or otherdamp-proof material 36 (see Fig. 2) of proper thickness, and then Iapply over such material a cement covering 37 and 38of any desired depthor thickness, the latter part 38 of such covering constituting the baseor floor of the storehouse or repository of the plant. Fitted at themost central and lowest part of said base or floor 38 is a plate 39,having therein an opening 40, said opening leading to the upper end of achute or conduit 42, suitably supported within an archway formed in thefoundation at one side, as shown, the lower end of said chute or conduitemptying into the hopper 17 in the boot 18 and the said archway beinglarge enough for the entrance of an attendant beneath the generalstructure (without destroying any part of the base or foundation) forthe purpose of making any necessary repairs. The surrounding upper edge43 of the part 34 of the base or foundation is adapted to receive andsupport the lower end of the housing or repository 44, (an angle-iron 44closing the joint,) and while the whole interior of said housing may becontinuous all around, thus to constitute a single bin only, Ipreferably divide the same radially to form a plurality of bins 45. (SeeFigs. 3 and 4.) Supported within the housing is a central verticaltubular structure 46, the lower end of which is sup-.

ported upon the plate 39 referred to, the said structure having radialopenings at such end which are closed by valves 47, said openings eachcommunicating with one of the said bins and with the opening 40 in theplate 39 above the inner end of the chute or conduit 42. As a convenientmeans for operating these valves 47 1 preferably connect each of themwith a link 42, (in detail, Fig. 7,) which is connected in turn with anend of an arm 42, carried on the inner end of a rock-shaft 42", havingbearings or supports 42, and the outer end of which is provided with areversely-disposed arm 42 in movable connection with an operating-rod42, leading upwardly through suitable guides therefor to a point abovethe said platform of the driveway, thus being in easy control of theoperator. The said bins 45 are formed between the outer curved sides ofthe housing itself and suitable radially-disposed vertical partitions48, which reach from about the base-line 49 of the housing proper to apoint near the upper edge of the latter, while heneath said partitions48 I preferably construct the recessed floor of the housing with similarradial cement partitions 50, alining therewith. The sides or walls ofthe housing or repository are preferably constructed of curved plates51, supported one above the other edge to edge, and surrounding saidplates at suitable distances apart vertically are duplicate angle strapsor bands 52 of metal, it beingobserved (see Figs. 3 and 6) that thevertical meeting edges of said plates 51 are each lapped exteriorly byvertical strips 53, thus sealing the joints thereof, said strips beingsecured to the plates by rivets 54 (see Fig. 6) on opposite sides ofeach of the joints, and said pins each also passing through one of apair of metallic angle-strips 55, extending vertically on the innersides of said walls, each of these said opposite pairs ofangle-strips'also serving to confine and hold securely in positiontherebetween the outer vertical edges of one of the said partitions 48,it being mentioned that these latter may be of any suitable material,wooden strips covered on either side with metal strips 56 being hereinshown; but in the event of steel being used instead of wood saidangle-straps will be arranged closer together, according to thethickness of such steel. The inner vertical edges of the said partitions48 are each similarly received in and supported by like pairs ofangle-strips 57, secured vertically to the sides of the before-mentionedinternal hollow structure 46, it being here explained that this latterelement is provided in the sides 58 thereof with openings leading intothe several mentioned bins 45, said openings being arranged at differentvertical heights and closed or controlled by suitable doors or valves59, which open into the interior of said structure. This internalstructure is of transverse dimensions suflicient to of the same withinthe bins. Located at any suitable point in the height of this internalstructure 16 is a gate or valve 60, which may be brought tosubstantially a horizontal position to completely close or divide theinterior of said structure, and communicating with one side of thelatter, close to said gate or valve, is the inner end of an inclinedchute or conduit 61, the outer end of which extends through an openingtherefor in the side of the housing and empties into a series of bucketsor other devices 62 for delivering quantities of grain or .othermaterial to a car or other receiver (not shown) for the purpose oftransfer or shipment thereof.

By the employment of duplicate angle straps or hands 52 at thehorizontal meeting edges of the curved plates 51 of the housing much ofthe work of construction is enabled to be prepared in the factory, asis-apparent, one of such straps or bands of each pair being applied to asection of plate and the pair afterward united at the time of erectingthe housing, the construction being thus rapidly facilitated.

It may be stated at this point that preferably I employ strips oftar-paper and asbestos 63 and 6 at the joints of the plates 51 betweenthe surfaces of the said plates and strips 53 and angle-strips 55,respectively, thus to insure the exclusion of moisture or dampness fromsaid joints. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, 1 preferably apply to the entireinterior of the material of the housing or repository a lining orcovering of asbestos-cloth or other similar material 55 for the purposeof rendering the same damp-proof, a like covering being also applied tothe surface of each of the partitions separating the bins, if desired.In Fig. 8 is shown in detail one manner of applying such lining orcovering to the shell and which consists in first laying onto the saidinner surface thereof a suitable gum or adhesive 56*- and afterwardlaying on the said asbestos or other cloth and the effectiveness ofwhich for the purpose named will be fully apparent.

In order to simplify, brace, and strengthen the entire storehouse, Iemploy the following means: As shown in the detail view Fig. 5, theangle straps or. bands 52 are located at the horizontal joints betweenthe curved plates 51 of the storehouse, and said angle-straps arepreferably in duplicate at each of such joints, rivets 52 securing thetwo together and other rivets, 52, passing through one of the straps andthe plates on one side of the joint, as shown. Between the adjacentsurface portions of said angle-straps and the plates 51 strips oftar-paper 52' or analogous material are inserted, and lappingeachhorizontal joint between the plates on the inner surface of the latteris a metallic band 65, which may be covered with tar-paper, felt, orother similar material 66, the general construction and organization ofthese latterly-described elements being such as to render the joints inquestion both air-tight and damp and water proof, it being noted thatthe rivets 52" also pass through openings therefor in said strip and itscovering. Also passing through corresponding openings therefor in theother anglestrap 52, the plates 51, and the bands 65 are bolts 66, eachhaving a collar 67 on the inner part thereof and provided at its innerend with a yoke 68, carrying a pulley 69, any suitable number of saidyokes and pulleys being employed at the inner surface of the storehouse,as maybe required, four of the same being herein shown at Fig. 3, andwhich will be presently again referred to. Each of the bolts 66 isthreaded at its outer end and provided with a tightening-nut 66.Connecting diametrically opposite portions of the upper part of theinner surface of the storehouse with adjacent sides of the internalstructure 46 are duplicate sets of horizontally-disposed rigidbrace-rods 70, the inner and outer ends whereof are securely held byangle-brackets 71 and 72, respectively, and supported on either side ofpreferably the center one of each set of said brace-rods is ayoke-and-pullcy device 7 3 in all respects the same as that alreadydescribed with reference to Fig. 5. Also supported at suitable points onopposite sides of opposite ones of the partitions 8, at near the upperedge thereof, are similar yoke-andpulley devices 74, while atcorresponding points of the sides of the internal vertical structure 46still other devices 7 5 of substantially the same form are held orsupported. Now by passing wire ropes or cables 76 around or about thedifferent pulleys described substantially in the manner shown in Fig. 3it is apparent that a very secure bracing or strengthening means may bederived for the whole structure, it being understood that said ropes orcables may be drawn up as tightly as desired, attention being alsocalled to the central square and radiating triangular formations ordirections which said cables are made to follow, whereby substantialequilibrium is attained. Mounted upon the upper surfaces of the saidsets of rigid brace-rods is a stand or support 78 for a hopper or tank79, into which the lower end of the chute or conduit 27 empties, itbeing noted that said stand and tank, as well also as the hopper 26 andsaid chute 27, are all inclosed by a hood or cover 80, which ispractically a lateral extension of the inclo sure 19 for the elevatingdevices, said hood or cover also constituting a closure for the upperend of the storehouse proper on which it rests. Said hood is preferablyprovided with a ventilator 81 and also a glass-covered opening 82 forthe admission of light to the interior. The bottom of said hopper ortank 79 is conical, as shown, to facilitate discharge of graintherefrom, a suitable slide or other valve 82 being employed to regulatethe discharge, and leading from the bottom of the tank is adelivery-tube 83, which may be directed toward any one of the binseither by turning the said pipe or tank, both of which may be maderotatable for that purpose.

In order that vitiated air may be drawn from the interior of the binscaused by any possible putrefaction of the material contained therein, Ipreferably employ a pipe 100, leading upwardly into each bin andprovided with a gauze or perforated cap 101 for preventing any of suchmaterial from falling into the pipe, and these pipes extend laterally at102,

thence upwardly at 103 through the floor of the engine-room 3, wherethey may be connected at 104 with a chemical apparatus 105, blower, orthe like.

In operation the elevator devices are kept in motion from the engineLand the loads of grain received at the plant are dumped into the pit10, as described. By opening the gate or valve 30 the grain will flowthrough the opening 16 into the trough or hopper 17 and will be carriedup and deposited in the hopper or tank 79, as is apparent, from whichlatter it may be emptied into the several bins for storage. \Vheneveradetinite quantity of grain is to be taken from the storehouse, thevalves 47 (one or more) are opened, (the gate or valve having beenpreviously adjusted across the interior of the inner structure 46,)whereupon grain will flow into the chute or conduit 42 and be taken upby the elevator devices and delivered to the tank 79 as before, the pipe83, however, being now directed into the upper end of said innerstructure 46, and the said grain will thus fall upon the said gate orvalve 60 and out through the chute or conduit 61 to the delivery devices62.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. A storehouse for grain, comprising asubstantiallycircular outer structure, and a central internal structure, a pluralityof diametrically-disposed brace-rods, connecting the two structuresinteriorly, and strengtheningcables also connecting said structures andbraces.

2.. A storehouse for grain, comprisinga substantially circular outerstructure, and a central'internal structure, a plurality ofdiametrically-disposed brace-rods connecting the two structures, yokessupported by said structures and braces, each carrying a pulley, andstrengthening-cables passing about said pulleys in different directionsbetween the points of support thereof.

3. A storehouse forgrain, comprisingasubstantially circular outerstructure, and a central internal. structure, the space between the twostructures being divided vertically by radial partitions, a plurality ofdiametricallydisposed brace-rods connecting the two structures, andstrengthening-cables connecting said structure and the said partitionsand braces, substantially as shown and described.

4. A structure for grain and similar substances, constructed of steel orthe like and having its inner surface provided with an adhesive, and anapplied lining of non-conducting material.

5. A storehouse for grain and like material, comprising a substantiallycircular outer structure consisting of curved plates, vertical strips onthe outer sides of said plates and covering the vertical joints betweenthe plates, pairs of metallic angle-strips extending vertically on theinner side of the structure and secured to the same and to the outervertical strips, a central internal structure, vertical radialpartitions extending between the central and the outer structure andeach held at its outer vertical edge between the members of a pair ofsaid angle-strips, and braces and strengthening cables connecting thestructures.

6..A storehouse for grain and like material, comprising a substantiallycircular outer structure, vertical angle irons arranged in pairs andsecured to the inner surface of said structure, a central internalstructure, radial partitions dividing vertically the space between thetwo structures and each held at its outer vertical edge between themembers of a pair of said angle-irons, braces connecting the structures,and strengthening-cables connecting the structures and braces, as setforth.

7. A storehouse for grain and like material, comprising a substantiallycircular outer structure, and a central internal structure the spacebetween the two structures being divided vertically by radialpartitions, braces connecting the structures, yokes supported by saidstructures and braces, a pulley carried by each yoke, andstrengthening-cables passing about said pulleys, as set forth.

8. A storehouse for grain and like material comprising a substantiallycircular outer structure consisting of curved plates, supported oneabove the other edge to edge, double angle straps or bands located atthe horizontal joints between the curved plates on the outer sidethereof, vertical strips on the outer sides of said plates and coveringthe vertical joints between the plates, pairs of metallic angle-stripsextending vertically on the inner side of the structure, a centralinternal structure, vertical partitions extending between the centraland the outer structureand each held at its outer vertical edge betweenthe members of a pair of said anglestrips, a plurality of brace-rodsconnecting the structures and strengthening-cables connecting thestructures and braces, as set forth.

9. A storehouse for grain and similar substances, comprising an outerstructure constructed of steel or the like and having a lining ofnon-conducting material, and a central structures being dividedvertically by radial i ening-cables connecting the said structurespartitions, and bracerods connecting the l and the said partltions andbrace-rods, as set structures, as set forth.

10. A storehouse for grain and the like, l

comprising an outer structure, a central internal structure, pairs ofangle-strips extending vertically and secured to the inner surface ofthe outer structure, similar pairs of angle-strips secured to the outersurface of the internal structure, vertical partitions eX- tendingbetween the structures and held by said angle-strips, and brace-rods andstrengthening-cables connecting the two structures, as set forth.

11. A storehouse for grain and similar substances, comprising asubstantially circular outer structure consisting of curved plates,vertical strips on the outer sides of said plates and covering thevertical joints between the plates, pairs of metallic angle-stripsextending vertically on the inner side of the structure, waterproofmaterial on the inner and outer surfaces of the structure between thesame and the said strips, a central internal structure, verticalpartitions extendingin the space between the structures and held attheir outer edges by said angle-strips, brace-rods forth.

12. In a storehouse for grain and similar substances, a substantiallycircular outer structure comprising curved plates, double angle-ironssecured thereto at the horizontal joints between the plates, metallicbands on the inner surface of said plates at the hori- Zontal joints,bolts extending through one of the said angle-irons and thecorresponding plate and band at the upper part of the structure and eachprovided at its inner end with a yoke carrying a pulley, a centralinternal structure, brace rods connecting the two structures interiorly,yokes supported by said braces and the internal structure and eachcarrying a pulley, and strengthening-cables passing about said pulleysand the pulleys on the outer structure, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ROBERT CORNELIUS ROACH.

\Vitnesses:

JNo. W. Jones, J. F. PowERs.

internal structure, the space between the two connecting the twostructures, and strength-

